Useful properties and contraindications of black walnut

There are a huge number of different types of nuts in the world. One of the most unusual and rare representatives is the black walnut., which gets its name from the rich color of the root system. Such kernels have a rich chemical composition and, accordingly, many useful properties. Let's find out more about the benefits of this plant and its uses.

Description and origin story

The homeland of black walnut is considered to be North America, where it grows from Massachusetts to Texas, for this reason the second name of black walnut is American. It was introduced to Russia and Europe only in the 18th century and grows only in warm countries.... In Russia, black walnut can be found in the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories.

In appearance and taste, black walnuts are very similar to walnuts., but in the American representative the concentration of active substances is much higher, which makes it much more useful.

In appearance, American walnut also strongly resembles a walnut, but knowing several features, they can be easily distinguished.:

1. The tree can grow before 40-50 meters;
2. The barrel is dark brown with deep furrows;
3. The wood is very durable and strong, has an excellent appearance and that is why black walnut is very often used in the manufacture of furniture;
4. The crown is very large and powerful, usually, its diameter is not less than the height of the tree trunk, and sometimes even more. The branches are tilted downward;
5. The roots are very powerful and sprout deep down. The main feature is the deep black color.

The leaves are arranged alternately and reach a length of 25 centimeters. They consist of several small oval, oblong leaves up to 10 centimeters long with jagged edges and 3 centimeters wide. Leaves bloom in late April and early May.

The first flowering occurs in April or May on 7-10 years tree life... Stamen flowers are earrings up to 15 centimeters long, but pistillate flowers are collected in small inflorescences of 3-5 pieces.

Fruit diameter is 3-5 centimeters, the shape can be round, ovoid or obovate. The shell of such nuts is covered with small grooves and is particularly durable.

Chemical composition

Black walnut has a very high nutritional value, so it is not recommended for people who want to lose weight. 100 grams of the product contains 618 kilocalories, and the table of the percentage of the constituents is as follows:

The product contains a large number of useful substances, the use of which has a beneficial effect on the state of the body.:

• flavonoids;
• alkaloid yugladine;
• juglon;
• carotene;
• tannins;
• phytocides;
• glycosides;
• organic iodine;
• vitamins C, B1, B6, P, E, B, PP, A, F;
• a huge amount of trace elements (magnesium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, cobalt, manganese, selenium, silicon);
• essential oils;
• various acids;
• quinones;
• useful enzymes;
• tannins;
• sugar.

The concentration of all nutrients is at the highest level, the American nut is considered one of the most common components of traditional medicine.

Beneficial features

Black walnut has many health benefits:

• capable resist gut bacteria, improves the condition of microflora;
• has antibacterial propertiesalso helps get rid of germs;
• slows down the natural aging skin and promotes the regeneration of skin cells;
• boosts immunity and the general resistance of the body;
• there is a good anti-inflammatory effect, edema is significantly reduced;
• there is also a light analgesic effect;
• black walnut has long been used in the fight against viral diseasessuch as herpes;
• helps to cope with various fungal diseases;
• black walnut able to fight cancer and prevent their occurrence;
• helps to cleanse the body from toxic substances and parasite larvae;
• effectively fights wormsby promoting their excretion from the intestines;
• possesses antispasmodic properties;
• relieves nausea, prevents vomiting;
• helps with injuries, stops bleeding and forms a film that becomes a barrier to various infections;
• calms the nervous system, helps with stress, nervousness, insomnia;
• increases the amount of vitamins, thereby improving the general condition of the body.

Contraindications

But in addition to a large number of useful properties in some cases American walnut can harm human health:

• eat no more than a handful of peeled nuts per day, otherwise it can cause inflammation of the tonsils and vasospasm on the head;
• black walnut belongs to the list allergenic products, therefore, you need to use it with extreme caution;
• in no case spoiled nuts should not be eaten, they can cause severe poisoning;
• moldformed on nuts, provokes the formation of cancer cells;
• it is also worth noting that during heat treatment some amount of nutrients is lost, and heavily transferred nuts can adversely affect liver health;
• black walnut is contraindicated with dietary nutrition.

Also, in addition to the harm that black walnut can bring, experts identify specific contraindications, in the presence of which the use of such a product is prohibited:

1. Individual intolerance to American walnut;
2. A stomach or intestinal ulcer;
3. Cirrhosis of the liver;
4. Thrombophlebitis;
5. Gastritis;
6. Pregnancy and lactation.

The use of Black walnut in medicine, instructions for its use

Due to the huge amount of useful trace elements, the American nut can often be found in traditional medicine recipes or in various medicines.

Oil

The oil extracted from the kernels of such a nut is used to achieve the following effect:

• prevention colds;
• restoration of work immune system;
• assistance in treatment skin diseasessuch as dermatitis or warts;
• also such a remedy helps well in case of malfunctions of the thyroid gland;
• contributes to the filling of the body with vitamins, and therefore used for vitamin deficiency;
• used in various inflammation of the female genital organs;
• helps with problems with bladder and kidneys;
• also used with hemorrhoids;
• used by for solving various skin problems, for example, for psoriasis, lichen, burns, abscesses and boils, rubbing with oil 2-3 times a day helps;
• oil is used mouthwash for preventive purposes;
• you can also do steam inhalation for the treatment of colds.

Extract

The extract is made both from the skin and from the kernels of the black walnut themselves. This remedy is great for:

• The appearance of worms and other parasites in the human body;
• Various wounds and violations of the integrity of the skin;
• Thrush;
• Fungal or bacterial lesions;
• An integrated cleansing the body.

Most often, the extract is used to remove worms from the body, for this, according to the instructions,Take once a day 80 drops funds together with 2 tablespoons of water, after which it is necessary to take medications with the same effect. The duration of such therapy is 2-3 weeks.

Also, black walnut can be found in the following forms:

1. The juice - helps to stop the blood, and contribute to the early restoration of the skin;
2. Pills - in their manufacture, black walnut leaves are used. The remedy is good for colds.
3. Dietary supplements help to strengthen the body;
4. Ointments - used for various skin diseases;
5. Candles - used in gynecology to restore microflora, are also effective for hemorrhoids and anal fissures.
6. Decoction prepared from 5 grams of finely chopped dried leaf, which is poured with 200 milliliters of water until the liquid darkens. Such a remedy can be used as a compress for diathesis, gargle with it for infectious diseases and rinse the hair to strengthen them.

Cooking applications

Black walnut kernels can be eaten raw, or as an ingredient in various desserts. The American walnut can be added to baked goods, salads, and ice cream. Black walnut kernel oil is also particularly popular.

Many people love black walnut jam, the cooking process of which consists of the following steps:

1. 100 pieces of still green nuts are peeled and soaked for a month, while the water must be changed daily;
2. Then each nut is pierced, covered with 500 grams of slaked lime and filled with water for 2 days;
3. After this time, the nuts are thoroughly washed and poured with clean water for 4 days, while the liquid is replaced 2-3 times a day;
4. As soon as the nuts are completely cooked, they are poured with hot water, a tablespoon of alum is added and simmer for 20-30 minutes;
5. Then you need to change the water and cook for another 5-10 minutes;
6. Then the nuts are transferred to a colander and the syrup is prepared;
7. 2 kilograms of sugar are mixed with water and brought to a boil;
8. Add nuts to the resulting mass and continue to keep on fire until they turn black.

Black walnut kernels are rich in nutrients. They are often used in cooking to create desserts., and the beneficial effect on the body is recognized by traditional medicine. The main rule is moderate consumption of black walnuts.